Saudi Sports for All Federation Unveils Riyadh Marathon Route, Plus Venues and Sponsors for Inaugural SFA International Sporting Events

 Ain Alalam – Rashad Iskandrni

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA) has announced further details of the highly anticipated 2025 SFA International Sporting Events, which will combine the SFA Expo and the Riyadh Marathon for the first time. SFA Expo will run from February 5-7, 2025, with the Riyadh Marathon on Saturday, February 8, 2025.

SFA Expo will take place in the JAX District, and this will also house the bib collection area for marathon competitors from February 5-7. On race day, a Marathon Village will open its doors to spectators and participants alike, integrating all pre- and post-race activities into one vibrant location for those participating in the event, comprising the full marathon of 42km; the half marathon of 21km; the 10km; and the family-focused 4km race.

The routes for each of the races have been meticulously designed to offer a challenging yet scenic experience, showcasing some of Riyadh’s most stunning landmarks. The half and full marathon both begin around the vibrant Boulevard World. Runners will traverse Prince Turki Ibn Abdulaziz Al Awwal Road, passing notable districts such as Ar Rihab, major attractions including Boulevard City, and scenic areas near Wadi Hanifah, before finishing in the vicinity of Kingdom Arena. The 10km and 4km races also promise an exhilarating experience, with runners of all levels enjoying Riyadh’s dynamic energy.

Inside, SFA Expo will feature multiple interactive zones dedicated to various sports, health, and fitness activities, offering attendees of all ages the chance to explore cutting-edge sports and fitness equipment, innovative technologies, and state-of-the-art facilities. The event will also feature a diverse range of participating brands and sports federations and will include a B2B lounge for networking and industry engagement.

In addition to these highlights, SFA Expo will host a dedicated platform for motivational talks and panel discussions, covering topics such as youth, technology and AI, health and well-being, and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, SFA Expo will feature an active zone where visitors can try out various physical activities, including calisthenics, Les Mills Body Combat, circuit training, and more. For those interested in holistic wellness, there will be spaces dedicated to mindfulness, with yoga and breathing workshops, as well as cookery demos and talks on nutrition and eco-conscious eating, with a play zone for kids’ activities. Community sports groups from around the Kingdom will be honored with a glittering awards ceremony.

A key attraction is sure to be the Primal Race, taking place on Friday, February 7, which is a functional fitness competition for men and women. The competition comprises eight activities, with a 400m team run taking place after each. The activities include a 2,500/3,000m row, 120 burpee box jumps, a 120m tire flip, a 500m water canister carry, 5000m/6000m on an Echo bike, 100 sandbag up and overs, a 400m sandbag carry, and 200m on a prowler sled. These events are designed to test strength, endurance, and agility, offering a visually engaging experience for spectators.

Among the sponsors and supporters of these events will be the presenting partner, Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), demonstrating its continued commitment to promoting health and fitness in the Kingdom. And the headline sponsors for both the SFA Expo and Riyadh Marathon include ASICS and Tawuniya, with Gatorade and Aquafina providing refreshments to marathon runners. Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services Group Company (HMG) will offer medical support at the Expo.

For the Riyadh Marathon, partners include Ford, who will be providing cars for the race, with KAFD offering their prime location for the pre-event activations, and MDL bringing DJs to help build the energy. PepsiCo will ensure participants stay hydrated, contributing to the overall success of the event. Calo, JP Morgan, and Centrum will also serve as supporting partners. Joe & the Juice will be creating a Riyadh Marathon drink on their menus as a supporting partner, as well as branding their staff merchandise to promote the event. Kudu has joined as an official partner promoting the Riyadh Marathon across its 300 branches all over the Kingdom. BAE Systems is also an official partner.

Other sponsors and supporting partners for both events include Kayanee, while official partners Huawei will provide mass participant awards. ASICS will outfit race participants with sports apparel, and JAX District is serving as venue partner for the SFA Expo.

In line with the SFA’s goals, structured by Vision 2030, SFA Expo and Riyadh Marathon bring thousands together to celebrate physical activity, and crucially promote fitness as a key aspect of Saudi Arabia’s social fabric.

About the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA)

The Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), a proactive community sport and wellness organization founded to promote a healthy lifestyle in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, aims to provide access to opportunities for all members of society to practice physical activity. Partnering with government organizations, sports delivery bodies, sports federations, and the wider public and private sector to achieve its goals, the SFA focuses on increasing physical activity and health and wellness metrics across the country. Physical activity is achieved by advancing four strategic priorities: education; community and volunteering; fitness and wellbeing; and campaigns and promotion. The SFA does this by designing and deploying recreational sports programs tailored for women, men, youth, the elderly, and persons with disabilities across Saudi Arabia.